Susana Martins

The link between festivals and social reality is unavoidable. By recognising art and culture as fundamental instruments of social participation and intervention, Festivals have the tasks of promoting social cohesion and developing integration and inclusion by bringing together and educating audiences that are increasingly diverse.

Only by acknowledging this status and social positioning can Festivals influence the community fabric and the territories in which they are located.

Susana Martins is, since 2013, the producer of Cistermusica – Festival de Música de Alcobaça, one of the most significant classical music festivals in Portugal, presented by ABA – Banda de Alcobaça Associação de Artes, a private non-profit organization of which she is also the Director.

ABA holds an artistic school (music and dance – Academia de Música de Alcobaça) and also an important arts programme that fosters social development, through diverse artistic expressions encompassing a broad audience (elderly, children and people with disabilities). Susana is also the producer of Gravíssimo – Academia e Festival Internacional de Metais Graves de Alcobaça and Festival de Ópera de Óbidos, which are both organized by ABA. She holds a law degree from Universidade de Coimbra. Prior to her work with ABA, Susana worked in public administration for the Portuguese Social Security Institute.